didnt naruto just say he survieved (and won) the chuunin exam? yeah i dont think the judge passed him on to chuunin (shika was supposed to be the only one) just that he won his battle in the chuunin exam.

but then again he did go and "defeat" gaara, so maybe they did make him chuunin after that, dunno kishi leaves so many question unanswered in his series doesnt he?